Territory



(No Model.)

B. PIKE.

AMALGAMATOR. No. 299,259. Patented May 27, 1884.

- WITNESS I NVENTOR: M x I BY m ATTORNEYS.

llnirnn STATES arnni'r Urricn.

EDYVARD PIKE, OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH TERRITORY.

AMALGAWIATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 299,259, dated May 27, 1884.

Application filed October 10, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may-concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD PIKE, of Salt Lake City, in the county of Salt Lake and Territory of Utah, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sluice-Boxes and Concentrators for Ores and Precious Metals, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention has for its object the saving of fine gold, floured quicksilver, and amalgam, and the concentration of ores and gold and silver tailings.

Figure 1 represents a plan view of a sluicebox and concentrator embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a transverse section thereof on the line at m in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 a similar section with a false bottom of peculiar construction applied to the box.

A is the box, which may be of the ordinary shape and of any desired length. 13 B are the riffles, arranged to extend from the bottom of the box to the top. These riffles are of different lengths on opposite sides of the box, and do not extend much, if any, more than half-way across it, allowing sufficient space for the stream, which is in direction of the arrow 1, to run through without running over them. They may be arranged at any desired distance apart, according to the work to be done, and may be set at any suitable angle, but will be usually arranged so that the riffles on at least one side of the box are in angular relation to said side, so as to present a facial exposure inclining toward the center of the box in either an upward or downward direction, with or against the stream. The riftles B on the one side of the box are shown as thus arranged, while the riffles B on the opposite side of the box are represented as projecting at right angles, or thereabout, to the side of the box.

To provide for varying the angles of the riffles, they may be made to fit differentlyarranged grooves b in the bottom of the box, or they may be hinged on their back edges to the box, as shown at c, and be held by any suitable stops; or any other provision may be made for adjusting them to vary their angular position in the box, according to the degree of concentration required, by checking or increasing the velocity of the stream. When used for concentratlon, the rifiies, arranged as then the action of the water will also bring 7 all lighter particles of metal-such as fine gold and floured quicksilver-in contact with them. In cases where the box is used for saving fine gold, floured quicksilver, and amalgam, the sides of the box as well as the riffles should be lined with amalgamated copper plates.

The bottom of it may likewise be similarly lined or have a blanket, as the nature of the work may require. The riflles, or riffles and box, thus faced with amalgamated plates, may be connected by wires f with any electric generator for the purpose of promoting amalgamation and precipitation. Fine or floured gold and floured quicksilver floating upon the surface of the stream will then be brought into certain contact with the amalgamated rifl'les or the amalgamated sides of the box, and be thereby held and precipitated. For quicksilver in a metallic state and amalgam, the spaces between the riffles form settlingchambers in which the metals lodge and cannot be washed out by the stream.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings a false bottom, 0, is shown as inserted in the box, having its top constructed to incline from the longitudinal center of the box to the opposite sides thereof, and which may fit grooves in the sides of the box. A false bottom thus constructed will effectually serve to collect and hold all metals entering between the riflles.

I am aware that riflles have been inclined and hinged to make them adjustable in position; also that a false bottom has been inclined on its upper surface to each side; but

What I claim as new is A sluice-box having opposite riffles, B B, faced with amalgamated plates (1, and connected with wires f, leading to a generator of electricity, as shown and described.

EDXVARD PIKE.

Witnesses:

I. M. BENEDICT, Gus KING. 

